>Grand Hall<
“Arthur, why? Why Arthur?” A ghostly voice resounded almost ricocheting off each decorative gold wall panel. A woman wearing a ghoulish white skull mask in his direct line of sight stood peering either at the tipsy blond male or through him. Either way, he would not be able to pin point the exact location or individual the ghostly voice came from. The mysterious tone resembled a haunted whisper surrounding every which way instead of in just one dimension. Indiscernible it was, from one area to the next. How odd--that no one else seemed to hear the cry. Could he be hearing things or did this voice actually exist? Since swinging back a few gulps of whiskey it could very well be in his head but no other person paid attention to it regardless.
>Near Grand Hall entrance<
Meanwhile a brute of a man wearing a similar skull mask but in black strolled toward the exit. A woman next to him donned a full face disguise that only revealed two jade eyes. She intertwined her arm around the hefty male. They were laughing about nothing in particular but the warm interaction quickly stopped when the giant thwacked straight into Niko. The entrance-way was wide enough across and able to fit a small crowd through at the same time so this bump was more likely than not, on purpose. The woman rudely chuckled in amusement, and proceeded to walk away while the burly man in a pitch tux refused to falter. He did not speak a word but stood like an unflinching statue waiting for Niko’s reaction.
>Outside Men's dormitory<
Two lone girls were standing right outside the Men’s dormitory puffing on potent cigarettes and most likely waiting on some male friends. The creek of a door opening grabbed the prissy women's attention, and they smiled warmly until realizing the unfamiliar man was not who they were expecting. Both snooty ladies eyed Tyler’s expensive black and silver ensemble in awkward silence until one in a cheap pink gown finally spoke up. “Seems like the old bat of a Headmistress will let anyone into this Academy now.” Her bitter words were loud enough for the blue eyed freshman to hear.
“His parents must be rich, why don’t you go ask Lilly? You like rich men.” The other snickered while exhaling swirling smoke.
“None of these freshmen are worth my time Victoria…but since you insist.” Lilly proceeded to lightly tap on Tyler’s shoulder and took a long drag before speaking in a crude manner.
“I am going to go out on a limb here and say you’re new. You must feel so accomplished and your family must be so very proud of you since receiving that acceptance letter. This used to be an exclusive school, mind you but I am not sure that’s the case anymore if they let people like you in. What do you think?” Lilly purposely blew out her cigarette smoke into the 18 year old's face and slightly cocked her head to the side in a challenging gesture. Wondering how far she could push him until he finally snapped, though she expected the seemingly timid creature to slouch down like a wounded pet and scurry away.
>Hallway near the Grand Hall<
Quiet chattering could be heard in one of the many expansive foyers just before the Grand Hall. Three suspicious girls in masquerade attire were whispering about one of the students who would have been a Sophomore this year. The absent girl's picture could be found in the CTS botanical garden along with a memorial quote. An engraved plaque rested near a serene waterfall. This student had been a favorite by pupil and teacher alike in such a little amount of time, and it came as a surprise that of all people, she would be one of the hundreds declared missing.
“I can’t believe she’s gone… just up and vanished? What kind of conclusion is that?” A troubled woman could be heard saying through her anxious nail biting.
“Everyone says she was murdered. Our perfect Patricia.” Snidely remarked the other with teal feathers in her chestnut colored hair; her voice without any remorse.
“Who would have wanted to murder her? That doesn't make any sen—“ The distressed nail biter stopped speaking and both stared straight at Disa. The first girl grabbed the other by the wrist and they quickly sped off in the opposite direction. Only one remained fashioned with a white skull mask in place over an expressionless face. She stood idly by staring at Disa eerily, and been completely uninterested in the two girl’s conversation. In haste, the other two continued to take off down the long winding corridors until the clicking of their satin heels could not be heard.
>Inside Grand Hall<
The woman from before in a beaded hi low dress stopped a little ways from the crimson haired woman and the man in a wild blue mask. Oblivious to all but the sound of her own voice at first. “Damnit, what are all these people doing here?” Terra heatedly murmured under her breath not actually speaking to the duo but rather communicating to herself. Hues the color of a faded star scanned over the fancy crowd still searching for the stray blond in a feathered form fitting gown. What she found, to her amusement, was a regal looking Doberman lying on the cold marbled floor. Terra narrowed smoky eyes to the chocolate tinted canine and then to the woman in either fascination--or distaste.
“So, you’re Acacia.” The savage looking female coldly commented, not saying anything further, and ignoring the male. She expected the ruby garnished Freshman to have a thousand questions like all others had in the past but she would receive no answers until the Headmistress stemmed fourth. This event did not go on like previous masquerade engagements had. Terra never called a student out before or even ventured down the steps to mingle with them in the spacious ball room, being to prideful to do so. Black and white masks roaming about like sharks in an open ocean we rather disquieting to witness. Other higher classmates were crashing the event, making up the majority of the lot and causing minimal chaos. If left unchecked the ball could turn into a slaughter house and it was Terra's responsibility to make sure this did not happen.
